Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Columbia County, Wisconsin
Columbia County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,136 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $978 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $21.85 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,136
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 9% less than in Wisconsin
- Typical rent
- $978
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 10% less than in Wisconsin
- Wage needed
- $21.85
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $45,440 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 35%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 20% less than in Wisconsin
Only here
Renting in Columbia County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Among the neighboring counties, Marquette County has the lowest typical rent ($800), 18% below the $978 in Columbia County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in Columbia County. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $791 | $15.21 | $31,640 |
| 1 bedroom | $868 | $16.69 | $34,720 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,136 | $21.85 | $45,440 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,573 | $30.25 | $62,920 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,623 | $31.21 | $64,920 |
HUD area: Columbia County, WI HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 25 ZIP codes in Columbia County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,080 in 53923 to $1,530 in 53960. 14 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,136).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 53555 | Columbia County, WI | $1,150 | $1,340 | $1,530 | $2,090 | $2,260 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53555 | Madison, WI | $1,150 | $1,340 | $1,530 | $2,090 | $2,260 |
| 53901 | Columbia County, WI | $810 | $890 | $1,170 | $1,620 | $1,670 |
| 53901 | Marquette County, WI | $810 | $890 | $1,170 | $1,620 | $1,670 |
| 53901 | Sauk County, WI | $810 | $890 | $1,170 | $1,620 | $1,670 |
| 53911 | Columbia County, WI | $1,150 | $1,340 | $1,530 | $2,020 | $2,260 |
| 53911 | Madison, WI | $1,150 | $1,340 | $1,530 | $2,020 | $2,260 |
| 53923 | Columbia County, WI | $750 | $820 | $1,080 | $1,490 | $1,620 |
| 53923 | Green Lake County, WI | $750 | $820 | $1,080 | $1,490 | $1,620 |
| 53925 | Columbia County, WI | $1,150 | $1,340 | $1,530 | $2,020 | $2,260 |
| 53925 | Dodge County, WI | $1,150 | $1,340 | $1,530 | $2,020 | $2,260 |
| 53925 | Madison, WI | $1,150 | $1,340 | $1,530 | $2,020 | $2,260 |
| 53928 | Columbia County, WI | $750 | $820 | $1,080 | $1,490 | $1,620 |
| 53932 | Columbia County, WI | $1,000 | $1,100 | $1,440 | $1,990 | $2,070 |
| 53932 | Dodge County, WI | $1,000 | $1,100 | $1,440 | $1,990 | $2,070 |
| 53935 | Columbia County, WI | $750 | $820 | $1,080 | $1,490 | $1,620 |
| 53954 | Columbia County, WI | $750 | $820 | $1,080 | $1,490 | $1,620 |
| 53954 | Marquette County, WI | $750 | $820 | $1,080 | $1,490 | $1,620 |
| 53955 | Columbia County, WI | $750 | $820 | $1,080 | $1,490 | $1,620 |
| 53956 | Columbia County, WI | $750 | $820 | $1,080 | $1,490 | $1,620 |
| 53956 | Dodge County, WI | $750 | $820 | $1,080 | $1,490 | $1,620 |
| 53956 | Green Lake County, WI | $750 | $820 | $1,080 | $1,490 | $1,620 |
| 53960 | Columbia County, WI | $1,150 | $1,340 | $1,530 | $2,020 | $2,260 |
| 53960 | Madison, WI | $1,150 | $1,340 | $1,530 | $2,020 | $2,260 |
| 53969 | Columbia County, WI | $750 | $820 | $1,080 | $1,490 | $1,620 |
- 53555 · Columbia County, WI $1,530$2,090
- 53555 · Madison, WI $1,530$2,090
- 53901 · Columbia County, WI $1,170$1,620
- 53901 · Marquette County, WI $1,170$1,620
- 53901 · Sauk County, WI $1,170$1,620
- 53911 · Columbia County, WI $1,530$2,020
- 53911 · Madison, WI $1,530$2,020
- 53923 · Columbia County, WI $1,080$1,490
- 53923 · Green Lake County, WI $1,080$1,490
- 53925 · Columbia County, WI $1,530$2,020
- 53925 · Dodge County, WI $1,530$2,020
- 53925 · Madison, WI $1,530$2,020
- 53928 · Columbia County, WI $1,080$1,490
- 53932 · Columbia County, WI $1,440$1,990
- 53932 · Dodge County, WI $1,440$1,990
- 53935 · Columbia County, WI $1,080$1,490
- 53954 · Columbia County, WI $1,080$1,490
- 53954 · Marquette County, WI $1,080$1,490
- 53955 · Columbia County, WI $1,080$1,490
- 53956 · Columbia County, WI $1,080$1,490
- 53956 · Dodge County, WI $1,080$1,490
- 53956 · Green Lake County, WI $1,080$1,490
- 53960 · Columbia County, WI $1,530$2,020
- 53960 · Madison, WI $1,530$2,020
- 53969 · Columbia County, WI $1,080$1,490
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Columbia County, 35% of renter households are in that position; in Wisconsin, 44%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
35%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
5,638 households rent in Columbia County
- Spend half or more of their income 18%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 18%
- Spend less than 30% 65%
Compared with the state and the country
- Columbia 35%
- Wisconsin 44%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Columbia County
HUD lists 22 properties with homes for low-income households in Columbia County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 9
- HUD-assisted
- 13
666 homes in all; 596 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Riverwood Apartments HUD-assisted 215 W Mullett St, Portage 53901 60 low-income homes · For older adults · (608) 742-4454
- Village House Apartments HUD-assisted 2830 Village Rd, Portage 53901 48 low-income homes · For older adults · (608) 836-1152
- Portage Commons Apt Homes Tax credit (LIHTC) 575 E Slifer St, Portage 53901 46 low-income homes · 1 bd: 10 · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2002
- The Phoenix Tax credit (LIHTC) 104 W Cook St, Portage 53901 44 low-income homes · 1 bd: 35 · 2 bd: 9 · In service since 1996
- Pioneer Place I & II HUD-assisted 202 Hillside Ter, Poynette 53955 38 low-income homes · For older adults · (608) 635-7000
- Howard Woods Apts HUD-assisted 450 Jackson St, Portage 53901 40 homes, 37 low-income · For families · (608) 848-4500
- Parkview Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 112 Gillette St, Pardeeville 53954 36 homes, 32 low-income · 1 bd: 11 · 2 bd: 17 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 1992
- Deer Run Tax credit (LIHTC) 2345 Schultz St, Portage 53901 32 homes, 31 low-income · 1 bd: 20 · 2 bd: 12 · In service since 1991
- Pioneer Place IV HUD-assisted 298 Meadow Ln, Poynette 53955 30 low-income homes · For older adults · (608) 635-7000
- Carriage Hill HUD-assisted 195 Fuller St, Columbus 53925 28 low-income homes · For families · (920) 623-5690
- Colonial Manor Tax credit (LIHTC) 15 Parkview Cir, Columbus 53925 25 low-income homes · 1 bd: 17 · 2 bd: 8 · In service since 1991
- Pat Smith Elder Locke Manor HUD-assisted 1250A 19th Street, Portage 53901 24 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (800) 685-9353
- Pleasant Valley Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 239 Columbus St, Lodi 53555 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 15 · 2 bd: 9 · In service since 1998
- Village Glen Apartments HUD-assisted 1008 Elm St, Wisconsin Dells 53965 24 low-income homes · For older adults · (608) 836-1152
- Pioneer Place III HUD-assisted 238 W Seward St, Poynette 53955 22 low-income homes · For older adults · (608) 635-7000
- Covenant Place HUD-assisted 420 W Lyons St, Rio 53960 20 low-income homes · For older adults · (608) 838-4000
- Campus View Apartments HUD-assisted 406 W Collins St, Portage 53901 16 low-income homes · For families · (608) 822-1368
- Wyona Lake Apartments HUD-assisted 107 N Columbus St, Wyocena 53969 16 low-income homes · For older adults · (608) 254-8353, ext. 231
- West Side Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 403 W Stroud St, Randolph 53956 12 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 4 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 1995
- Movin Out Kilbourn Wisconsin Dells HUD-assisted 920 Race St, Wisconsin Dells 53965 49 homes, 11 low-income · (920) 579-1029
- Whitney Tax credit (LIHTC) 100 E James St, Columbus 53925 8 homes, 6 low-income · 1 bd: 8 · In service since 1992
- Avalon Commons Tax credit (LIHTC) 574 W Avalon Rd, Columbus 53925 24 homes, 2 low-income · 2 bd: 4 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 2010
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in Columbia County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. A public housing agency runs it. HUD lists none with an office in Columbia County; the state's agencies can help you. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
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You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
-
Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
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Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
-
If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
-
When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
-
Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $22,550 | $37,600 | $60,100 |
| 2 people | $25,800 | $42,950 | $68,700 |
| 3 people | $29,000 | $48,300 | $77,300 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $53,650 | $85,850 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $57,950 | $92,750 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $62,250 | $99,600 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $66,550 | $106,500 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $70,850 | $113,350 |
Area median income: $107,300. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Columbia County, WI HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $712 – $870
- 1 bedroom $781 – $955
- 2 bedrooms $1,022 – $1,250
- 3 bedrooms $1,416 – $1,730
- 4 bedrooms $1,461 – $1,785
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
HUD lists no housing agency with an office in Columbia County. You can apply at another agency in your state: you do not have to live where you apply. Source: HUD
Your rights as a tenant in Wisconsin
What Wisconsin law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- When must they return my deposit?
- 21 days
- Wis. Stat. §704.28; Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06(2)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 5 days
- Wis. Stat. §704.17
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 28 days
- Wis. Stat. §704.19(3)
- Only a court order can remove youWis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(7)
- Protection from retaliationWis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(5)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Columbia County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Movin' Out, Inc.
902 Royster Oaks Dr, Madison · 27 miles away · Spanish
Also serves in Hmong.
- Budget and financial counseling
- Budget and credit workshops
- and 5 more
-
Foundation for Rural Housing Inc
156 N Main St, Oregon · 38 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 1 more
-
Jefferson County at Home
874 Collins Rd, Jefferson · 42 miles away
- Home improvement and repairs
- Pre-purchase counseling
- and 2 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Columbia County. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in Wisconsin, the average home bill was $111 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$2,272
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,136
- Security deposit
- $1,136
- Total
- $2,272
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in Columbia County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $791; 1 bedroom: $868; 2 bedrooms: $1,136; 3 bedrooms: $1,573; 4 bedrooms: $1,623. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Columbia County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,136) without spending more than 30% of income takes $21.85 an hour full time, or $45,440 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Columbia County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $53,650 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in Columbia County?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $1,022 and $1,250 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Columbia County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,080 in 53923 to $1,530 in 53960. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in Columbia County?
HUD lists 22 properties with homes for low-income households in Columbia County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in Columbia County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Columbia County, 35% of renter households are in that position; in Wisconsin, 44%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).